Date Night

Date Night: Taijiyama Sushi & Thai

03.27.15

Frankie and I are not decisive people.

we just aren't.

I tell myself that it stems from the fact that we both don't have crazy preferences or insane cravings.  Or that we just really would rather make the other person happy and place their needs and wants before our own (awwwww).  But I think we all really know it's just that making an executive decision is harder than letting someone else do it for you.  Amiright?  Can I get a “hell ye-” nevermind.  just… nevermind.  


I think Frankie doesn't like to make plans till the last minute because he thinks if we're not discussing it outloud I may just make up my mind on my own and take all the work away from him.  Would you believe he's never PLANNED a date?  like from start to finish said “be ready at this time we're doing ___ ___ and ___.  nope.  nada.  NO-SIR-EEE. 

I'm an incredibly lucky girl. <– sarcasm aside I really do believe this, but SERIOUSLY…. just one date.  

SO when WE are planning our date nights, I usually start off saying “what kind of food do you want?”  He says I don't know and then we usually sit there and stare at each other until one of us caves and says what we “could go for.”  It's a super fun time, everyone should join in and watch the grass grow.

This particular date night was his preference (we don't take turns or anything, he just happened to cave first).  With a shrug he says to me, “why don't we do sushi?  we haven't had that in a while.”

I of course am picking my jaw off the floor over the fact that he made a decision while I yelp some options by me.  I rely on yelp a LOT.  I really should be doing reviews for them, since I use them all the time.   

Anyway, I find one that looks good and call them up to make reservations (because I make the reservations in this relationship, I also wear the pants and the shorts and the skirts THANK YOU VERY MUCH).  This is the point where things start getting weird.  The receptionist takes down my reservation and goes “you know we moved right?”  I tell her no, I did not know they moved especially because the weekend before I saw them open at their location two blocks from me… She says “yeah we're at 1st between 81st and 80th now. 

We hang up and go on our merry way and life is good UNTIL later when we're trying to find the freaking restaurant.  I have to call back and ask where it is and she repeats “between 80th and 81st.”  I'm like okayyyy, I'm here, do you have an address?  A number?  GIVE ME A SIGN.  IS IT THE YELLOW AWNING BECAUSE NOTHING IS NAMED TAIJIYAMA.  she says yup the number is 1055 (or something like that).  I'm like THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE HERE LADY.  we hang up and go on our merry way and life is good UNTIL I realize there is no 1055.  and there are two places that look like they could be serving sushi right next to each other. 

womp womp.  

I pick the one that looks nicer and we walk in and sit down and look at the menu… it's STRICTLY sushi.  which I just can't handle.  I like sushi but you have to give me something on the side.  some fried rice.  potstickers.  SOMETHING.  I can't just do sushi.  and poor Frankie is looking at me like I'm going to start crying because I'm confused and stressed and know that I won't eat 99% of the things on this menu.  I don't cry.  He says “you know we can leave right.  we can just get up and go to the other place.”  I think about it, contemplate for a few minutes and ultimately decide I do actually need to eat a meal so I nod and we leave. 

I HATE DOING THAT.  I think it's SO RUDE.  and I HATE being that girl.   

We went to the other thai place with the yellow awning.  the servers were like “oh did you just call?!” so thankfully we were FINALLY in the right place.  and then we proceeded to order EVERYTHING.  ALL. THE. THINGS.

| Date: | 3/21/2015

| Time: | 7:26 pm

| Place: | Taijiyama Sushi & Thai, UES

| Food: | Thai

| Drinks: |water?  I KNOW, I KNOW.  We broke the rules!  but it was actually because they didn't have a drink menu…. or didn't offer us one at least?  it was bizarre.

| Dinner: | won ton soup [ash] + lobster king roll [Frankie] + gyoza + edamame + chicken pad thai + spicy tuna roll + cucumber roll [to share]

| Dessert: | rice crispy cone with cake batter ice cream from Emack & Bolio's [to share]       

 
Hoookay, so I'm gonna level with ya, the dinner wasn't out of this world  or anything.  I was a little turned off by how difficult it was to find it and all that jazz.  It was weird that there were two separate menus and we weren't offered drankkkkks (cause you know I love that part of the dinner).  

I will say that we liked the pot stickers (they're my fave fave, love me some potstickers) and the edamame.  The pad Thai was okay, when I reheated it later I added more soy sauce and garlic chile paste and it had more flavor.  The cucumber roll was good, but it's kind of hard to mess up a cucumber roll.  I was into the spicy tuna roll and Frankie said he liked the lobster roll.  Overall the food wasn't bad, but I'm pretty sure nyc can do better.

I'm still on the lookout for a killer spiked hot chocolate, but when I googled dessert these ice cream cones came up. 

 
Um.  Yeah would you pass that up?  I didn't think so.

It was delicious even in the cold!  

We had to stop to get some red wine for SOMEONE (not me) before going home and watching our shows like a cute married couple.  Cue the awe's please.

Who else is dating out there?! Send me dinner recommendations!

Toppings

Sunday Sprinkles

03.22.15

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1. I just finished facetiming with my mom and her best frienddd.  they're having a great time in Newport, RI at some swanky hotel.  I'm really jealous.  i want a fuzzy robe and an ocean view window!

2. Who else has a mac?  when i'm typing, fn + delete saves my life sometimes.

3. Today I reached the points I needed on the myzone activity belt in order to keep it for free!  I'm super excited.  I think it's such a cool gadget to have.

4. I ordered an outfit off fabletics this week (it's the nehalem falls outfit) and i'm kind of obsessed with it.  it's so comfy and i want to live in it forever.  is that acceptable?  I didn't think i would love it as much as I do.  

5. I'm slightly confused by the weather.  it SNOWED on friday and then proceeded to be BEAUTIFUL on saturday and sunday.  I don't even know what that means.  But Frankie and I went on a walk around the neighborhood today and it was so nice out.

6. UM.  if you saw my instagram, you'll know i made banana bread today.  but i didn't have baking powder.  WHAT KIND OF FOOD BLOGGER DOESN'T HAVE BAKING POWDER?  how does that happen?  i had to run out and get some…. obviously.

7. | Scandal | i loved lena dunham in this episode.  her hair was on point and i just loved it all.  but HUCKKKKKKKKk WHAT?  we really need to get him under control.  and CYRUS WHY DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO COME IN WITH SOMETHING SHADY.  get out. | Secrets and Lies | ummmmmm i think this might be my favorite spring show.  Frankie and I are always excited to watch it.  i'm still feeling like it was the younger sister… but then she made that comment about Nat's friends “drinking in the woods” and i feel like that will be relevant somehow.  idk.  I NEED MORE INFO.  | Mindy | mindayyyyy always saying the right things about loving your body and accepting yourself.  she's the best.  love ittt.

8. This.  ESPECIALLY #7, i say that one all the time and no one gets it.

9. i'm going to bingo next weekend with my grandma at foxwoods.  it's kind of our thing.  cross your fingers that we win. 

10. you should watch this just so you can see the “dancing section and know that those are all my moves.

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 Insty | Twittah | Lovingzeblogs

Dips, Dressings, Sauces & Spreads / Recipes / Snacks

Spicy Mustard Pretzel Dip

03.18.15

HI HI HI.

Spicy Mustard Pretzel Dip-5

do you love dip?  do you think dip is the frosting on your savory snacks?  is it the cherry on top?  IS IT?

even if it's not [which, um, it is] you've come to the right place, my friend, because I'm about to change yo mind.  oh yeah.

Mustard Dip Collage

This dip is the jam.  not literal jam, because it's clearly not actual jam, but like MY JAM.

funny story: I used to hate mustard.  (why do all my stories start like this?).  I hated it on sandwiches and pretty much everything else.  Yellow mustard was the bane of my existence.  WHY WAS IT ON THIS PLANET? well now I can tell you.  It's here to make this dip with.

Spicy Mustard Pretzel Dip

I'm still not a fan of just straight up yellow mustard.  BUT I will say it makes a nice base to play with in the flavor arena.  you can do ALL THE THINGS. 

today specifically, we're mellowing it out with some mayo (stop cringing, it's okay I promise), giving it some bite with garlic, and pumping up the heat with sriracha.

Mustard Dip Collage 6

I've been making this dip for about a year for myself and I usually just taste as I go and do a pinch of dis and a pinch of dat and BOOM it's perfect.  but this measured out recipe works too.  if you hate living on the edge, keep it as is.  if you like skydiving in the kitchen, use the recipe as a base and adjust as necessary.

maybe you like to burn your mouth off with sriracha, I can't [and won't] judge.  you do you. 

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unless you're Frankie, in which case: STICK TO THE RECIPE BABE.

I made the dip for him one night and he LOVED IT.  was all impressed like “YOU came up with this?!?” don't be so surprised jerkface.  yes, I did.  two mornings later I wake up to a sink filled with dishes and mustard caked on ALL OF THEM.  when asked what happened, “I tried to make your dip…”

Mustard Dip Collage 4

so, basically… what I'm trying to say, is this is a selfish post so that I am not the only dip-maker in our apartment for the rest of eternity. 

but you should really make it for you too.  and your franzzz.  make some for dose friends.  they deserve it.  and my friends liked it when they visited!

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isn't it cool that i can say things are friend approved now?!

I think so too.

oh oh oh! and fun fact: all these pictures were taken in MANUAL mode!  let me know what you think?  do they look better?  worse?  did you not even noticeeee?  what's going on in your pretty head?

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Print

Spicy Mustard Pretzel Dip

  • Author: Ashley Renee
Scale

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup light mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp sriracha
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a bowl mix together the mayo and mustard. [whip it, whip it good. actually, I'm just kidding just make sure they're combined without lumps and the mixture is smooth.]
  2. Add in the garlic, garlic powder, sriracha, salt, and pepper and mix together.
  3. Taste and adjust as needed.
  4. Serve with pretzels immediately or cover and refrigerate for one day.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 162
  • Sugar: 2
  • Sodium: 806
  • Fat: 16
  • Saturated Fat: 2
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 6
  • Protein: 1
  • Cholesterol: 16

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also, wear a parachute when sky diving in your kitchen.  especially if you're sky diving a pretzel into a pillow of light yellow goodness. 

I need to give up analogies.  like asap.

Make it? Lemme see it! Hashtag it: #thepikeplacekitchen

Insty. Twittah. Lovingzeblogs. Pinnypins

Toppings

my life as a new Yorker: week 6

03.17.15

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ANNNDD SO IT BEGINS. 

Travel season.  I've spent most of the last week in CT (super close to home, home actually – so I was able to see my momma)! 

Um, hello – my name is Ashley and I've forgotten how to live in hotels.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE being home.  commuting to work has been vunder-bahh (<– I don't even know, but that's supposed to be wonderful?).  I love getting to organize and clean and COOK for myself, so when I had to hit the road again it was like culture shock. IMG_1438.JPG

I was talking to Frankie and telling him that like, I MISS VEGETABLES.  all week I wasn't paying attention to what I was eating and on Saturday I was eating a pizza (this has never, ever, EVER happened to me before) and I was like… “I wish I had a side of cauliflower.”  LIKE WHAT?!   WHAT THE ACTUAL WHAT?!? 

who am I?

and then I realized when I was working in New York I was eating a vegetable heavy diet.  just because they're easy and quick to cook. 

I don't even know kids, I don't even know. 

We're going to pretend this convo didn't happen. okay?  okay. IMG_1440.JPG

I spent Friday and most of Saturday on Long Island with the boyfrannnn and his fam-bam.  (I literally don't know what's happening to me…).  We went to ikea and target and all the wonderful places in the world and I bought LOTS OF STUFFSES.

Frankie told me in the most romantic voice, “ash, I really love… that you don't make me put this stuff together.”  As I'm hunched over an ikea bookshelf with my screwdriver and hammer.  isn't he lovely?

Truth is: I love putting it all together so it's okay.  IMG_1441.JPG

I would probably say the apartment is 85% finished right now…. until Frankie moves his crap in.  then everything goes out the window.  But so far I'm really happy with it all.

So far, I'm still LOVING work.  I'm being challenged and loving all the interesting work and new responsibilities and roles.  The people are super nice and everything seems like its coming together.  I liked being closer to home with this CT job, but I also really miss having tim to finish that remaining 15% of stuff to do in my apartment. IMG_1445.JPG

Frankie and I have season tickets to the NYCFC games in Yankee stadium.  The first game was last weekend and it was SO MUCH FUN.  a bunch of our friends have tickets too and it was nice to just get to hang out together.  They're gonna be CRAZY fun when the weather starts getting nicer – it was pretty cold when we went.  But they also won against the Revs which was awesome for our first home game!

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turning things around to blog land, I was able to recipe test and photograph a few recipes last weekend which was super nice.  I'm still adjusting to the new lighting and finding the best way to pull it all together for nice pictures.  Um.. but i shot two recipes in ONLY manual which is a huge deal for me.  hopefully they look okay.  GAH.  okay.  

I tried to fit in a bunch of little things that I needed to touch on.  I hope I touched on everything!  IMG_1447.JPG

Which brings us to the end.  I've spent a lot of time thinking about these weekly updates and whether or not to continue with them.  I've LOVED writing them and I love having them to look back at, but I don't really know if it makes sense now that I've started traveling for work again.  I'm not spending as much time in New York, so I don't have as much to say.  When I was thinking about writing this post I struggled to come up with things to update you all on. 

So I'm thinking this is the end to the weekly updates.  I might come back with monthly updates or random weekly ones when things are happening, but they're not going to be a set thing anymore.  I'll definitely have a one year update and sporadic ones in between, but don't come back looking for weekly ones!  Any time I do post an update you'll see it on the facebook page and I'll reference it on insta & twitter, so I'll make sure you hear about it! 

It's been fun guys, but now it's time to spend more time exploring.